ABOUT CASA
Calgary Apollo Softball Association (CASA) is an LGBTQ2S+ non-profit softball organization welcoming any skill level, dedicated to providing a fun, safe, and social league for all.
Players register as individuals or with a "buddy" in February each year. Teams are formed by a draft hosted by the CASA Board. Every player who joins CASA is drafted by a team captain and guaranteed to play. This allows for greater inclusion, socialization, and accommodations of new players each year! The league runs on Wednesday evenings, May to September, throughout Calgary.
If you have any questions about CASA check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or please contact us.
COMMUNITY
The CASA League was created to foster a safe environment to meet people, create new friendships, and support our LGBTQ2S+ community.
SUPPORT
Our league looks to bring together individuals, businesses and organizations who support our community, league, and players.
TEAM VALUES
We aim to instill team values in our league, our captains, and our players. We believe that building relationships and having fun are paramount at CASA.
Meet the Board
CASA – Strengthening Our Community Together
At CASA, we are dedicated to cultivating a 'just culture' – a system where we learn from mistakes and improve, rather than simply blame. We strive to create a psychologically safe environment where every player is treated with care, compassion, respect, and dignity. We believe in open communication, where discussing personal concerns or worries is not only safe but encouraged. Maintaining a fair, respectful, and consistent approach is fundamental to our league. Our focus is not only on individual accountability but also on identifying and addressing any systemic issues that may contribute to these behaviors.
We invite you to be a part of positive change. If anyone witnesses or experiences any instances of misconduct, inappropriate behavior, unsportsmanlike language or actions, including but not limited to verbal abuse, violence, threats (physical, emotional, mental, and other), sexual advances, or harassment, regardless of the individual involved, including captains or board members, we urge you to report it. Your voice matters. All reports will be treated with strict confidentiality, with access to reports limited to designated board members. All reports will be reviewed by the board and follow our bylaws to ensure a fair and thorough process, and a response will be sent after. We take every report seriously and are committed to responding appropriately to address your concerns and promote positive improvements within our league. Please use the form below to submit your report and contribute to building a stronger, safer, and more respectful CASA community, or speak to a board member directly.
From 1992-2015, Apollo, Friends in Sport hosted drop-in slo-pitch every Friday evening for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) community, called Q's on First. The last year of drop-in slo-pitch took place at the Renfrew Community Association field. Logan Chinski moved to Calgary in 2016. Previously he had been living in Vancouver, where he had played for three seasons with the LGBTQ2S+ league there. He valued the community, social outlet, and the safe space to play, that the league provided individuals. In the spring of 2017, Logan approached Tom Sloan about the history of slo-pitch in the city and how to get things started for those in the LGBTQ2S+ community that wanted to play. Eventually, Troy Gibson joined Logan and Tom to help stage a slo-pitch tournament in June of 2017.
The tournament was held at the Crescent Heights diamonds with three teams. A second tournament was held that same year during Calgary Pride, called the Pride Slam, where players signed up as individuals and were placed onto have four teams. After the first Pride Slam, a number of people had come forward to help put together these first steps that would lead to CASA. The first board of CASA officially was put in place on February 7, 2018. The first members of the board included; Logan Chinski; Tyler Pentland; Troy Gibson, Tom Sloan; Shawn Hoffart and Blake Spence.
It was decided to partner with Calgary Sport and Social Club (CSSC) to launch the first season of regular weekly play. There were eight teams that played an eight-week spring league. After a resounding success, it was decided to have another eight weeks of play that summer with a second draft given a growing number of people were aware and wanted to play in the league.
Since that first season in 2018, CASA has continued to grow. In 2019, there were 150 players over 10 teams that played a 16 week season. In 2020, the league was set to grow to 12 teams with 180 players registered. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 season was canceled.
CASA has firmly established its presence in the Calgary community hosting in addition to regular league play; two tournaments (CASA Cup and Pride Slam), MX CASA a fundraiser to support a community non-profit; and participation in the Calgary Pride Parade. The founding group’s original vision for CASA was rooted in building community and giving the LGBTQ2S+ community a safe place to meet new people and to play the sport of slo-pitch.